The audit is necessary "to get to the bottom of what we believe is inaccurate data." -- Sen. Karen Carter Peterson

Lawmakers are requesting a thorough review of crime statistics released by the New Orleans Police Department after experts questioned the accuracy of the data in a special report published by The Times-Picayune. A resolution, which asks the legislative auditor to look into the crime stats, was approved by the committee Tuesday and needs only be approved by the Senate before going into force.

State Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, who presented Senate Resolution 121 to the Senate Judiciary B Committee on Tuesday, said the audit is necessary "to get to the bottom of what we believe is inaccurate data."

"Certainly, we've got a crime problem in New Orleans that no one can deny," Peterson said. "And it is important that we are able as a citizenry to be able to accurately understand if there in fact is progress being made as to the public safety of our citizens." Peterson presented the resolution on behalf of its sponsor, Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-N.O.

The committee approved the resolution Tuesday without opposition. An amendment added by Peterson would require the auditor to report his office's findings by Aug. 1.

While New Orleans typically is at the top of rankings for
its murder rate when compared with other similarly sized cities, it also
typically falls near the bottom of lists that look at the ratio of assaults
with a gun to murders.